Basically, I am a 19 year old car enthusiast. So, I just bought my 2003 Berlina Black(?) S2000 yesterday. I love it! But I think it needs a little work/adjustments.

My previous cars:
1997 Acura Integra LS 5-speed (slow but fun)
2007 Hyundai Tiburon GS A/T (super slow)
2003 Honda S2000 (as of yesterday) and it's a blast to drive.

Problems I've found so far:
Suspension/alignment or something seems out of whack usually only when accelerating quickly. This may be normal because this is certainly the fastest car I've driven.
That first issue might be because all four of the tires on it are different brands and tread patterns... (wish I realized this when buying)
AND.. this has me worried. Clicking/Rattle/ticking sound when engine is warm. Coming from front of engine (sounds like) sometimes loud..sometimes quiet.. sometimes not at all when engine is warm. but never on a cold start. I usually only hear it at a warm idle and I've done some research already and it looks like either i need a valve adjustment or a timing chain tensioner? If not one of those, looks like it could be bad..... Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

More than likely taking it to Honda on Monday, what should I tell them to inspect?

 

Don't take it to honda they'll rip you off. It's probably the timing chain tensioner. You seem to have the symptoms....... Usually when warm but not always. Record a video and post it. It will be easy to tell. Also, check your tire pressure and make sure they're on point. S2ks can be sensitive to changes in tire pressure

 

Like MBH said, get a vid up. While I'm still my original TCT, it seems to be a common problem. There are DIY instructions on here for fixing it.



As for the tires, REPLACE THEM ASAP!!

I'm sure you're tempted to thrash on your new toy, but this car is very tire sensitive. Check out the s2000 wreck thread, and look at how many were caused by bad tires. Even if your tread is decent, being mismatched makes it behave much more unpredictably.

 

Welcome.

Check out the link in my signature.

 

Working on the video I will probably try to post in "Under the hood" I checked tire pressure and yep... they were so off.. i have them at 32 all around now and it helped a little.

I'll definitely look into tires after I figure out the TCT issue. Thanks!!


Thanks I'll check that out!

 

I'm going to go ahead and post it here because I'm sure thousands of other people have started threads on this in "under the hood"

This was after a long drive around town so engine was warm, pulled in the driveway and this is probably the best and loudest example I have of it.

What do you guys think? Thanks!

My link

 

Sounds like a really bad TCT to me. Usually it's explained as a card in bicycle spokes sound. Don't by a Honda TCT. It will fail again eventually. Contact Billman on here, he sells his modified one that comes with a lifetime warrant. Ballade also sells one with a warranty